SNS/NP/KAILASH
MANASAROVAR-ATI/1/242/2003/4SH
Day
01: ARRIVE KATHMANDU
Arrive at Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel Gangzong
or similar.
Day
02: KATHMANDU
AM: Half-day sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath
PM: Kailash briefing. Overnight stay at Hotel
Day
03: KATHMANDU-ZANGMU-NYALAMU
Drive Kathmandu to Nyalamu (3800 m) via Zangmu
– 165 kms 8hrs
Overnight stay at hotel Nyalam
Day 04: NYALAMU-PAIKU-YAK KHARKA
Drive Nyalamu to Yak Kharka (4675 m) via Paiku Tso. 240 kms 8-9 hrs
Overnight on Camp
Day
05: YAK KHARKA-SAGA-NEW DONGPA
Drive Yak Kharka to New Dongpa (4500 m) via Saga (4640 m) where you
will cross the Brahmaputra river
160 kms/ 6-7 hrs. Overnight on Camp
Day 06: NEW DONGPA-MAYUMLA PHEDI
Drive to Mayumla Phedi (4500 m) 210 kms/ 7-8 hrs.
Overnight on Camp
Day
07: MAYUMLA PHEDI-MANASAROVAR
Drive to Manasarovar (4560 m) 120 kms/ 7-8 hrs
Overnight on Camp
Day
08: MANASAROVAR- DARCHEN
AM: Puja / Holy dip at the Lake followed by Manasarovar Parikrama. Time
permitting visit Chiu Gompa. Drive to Darchen (4560 m)
Overnight at Guest House in Darchen
Day 09: DARCHEN
Drive 8 kms from Darchen to Ashtapath / Tarboche. Kailash Parikrama.
Start trek to Dira Puk (4775 m)
14 kms/ 6-7 hrs. Overnight at Camp
Day 10: KAILASH PARIKRAMA
Continue Parikrama over Dolma La Pass (5650 m) to Zuthul Puk (4700 m).
22 kms 10-11 hrs.
Overnight at Camp
Day 11: DARCHEN
End Kailash Parikrama after an easy trek of 14 kms near Darchen. 4 hrs.
Drive to Hore (Hor Qu) at 4560 m near Lake Manasarovar.Overnight at
Camp
Day 12: DARCHEN - MAYUMLA PHEDI
Drive to Myalumla Phedi. 120 kms/ 6-7 hrs
Overnight at Camp
Day 13: MAYUMLA PHEDI-NEW DONGPA
Drive to New Dongpa- 210 kms/7-8 hrs.
Overnight at Camp
Day 14: NEW DONGPA-YAK KHARKA
Drive to Yak Kharka (4675 m)- 160 kms/ 6-7 hrs
Overnight at Camp
Day 15: YAK KHARKA-NYALAMU
Drive to Nyalamu (3800 m)- 241 kms/ 7-8 hrs
Overnight stay at hotel
Day 16: KATHMANDU
Drive Downhill to Friendship bridge following the gorge of Bhote Kosi
river for the final leg of the journey to Kathmandu (1300 m). 165 kms/
7 hrs.
Overnight at Camp
Day 17: DEPART KATHMANDU
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight
TOUR COST PER PERSON ON TWIN SHARING BASIS
1) For Indian passport holders: USD 1299
2) For Foreign Nationals: USD 1621
Services
Exclude:
1. Airfares to Kathmandu & Departure airport tax (770 NC for SAARC
nationals and NC 1100 for all other countries) from Kathmandu.
2. Meals wherever not specified: lunch & dinner at Kathmandu. Special
negotiated meal rates per person Rs.750. Includes 3 lunches and 3 dinners
(buffet) at Hotel Ganjong, Kathmandu.
3. Any expenses of personal nature such as travel insurance, drinks,
laundry, telephone / fax calls, porterage or arranging additional transportation.
4. Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such
as natural calamities (landslides, floods), flight delays, rescheduling
or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes,
evacuation costs etc.
5. Any tips to drivers, hotel staff, any meals apart from the ones mentioned
above.
6. Any other tax or service charge that could be enforced during this
period will be extra and need to be borne by you.
7. Services other than specified.
We don't charge extra for the parikrama. If you wish to take help of
a yak, the cost will be approx INR 2200 payable directly to the yak
herder. All Indian pilgrims are advised to hire one. You have to understand
that the yaks are not domesticated but are meant to carry luggage. Getting
thrown off the yak is an adventure for which we do not charge extra!
On a further note, we also provide Gamow Bags (Personal Altitude Chambers).
This is a must in higher altitudes.
All the above rates are subject to change without prior notice, due
to fluctuation in currency resulting in increased tour cost, which will
be borne by the passenger. SNS Tours has the right to withdraw or amend
this offer at any given time without prior notice. We do not guarantee
any service performance by the service provider.
Detailed description of days spent at Manasarovar and the Mt. Kailash
parikrama
Day 08: Manasarovar parikrama by jeep.
Manasarovar, at 14950 ft. is the highest body of fresh water in the
world. The lake is full of fish and swans. The lake has turquoise complexion.
It is the lake of compassion, tranquillity and bliss. This is intimately
connected with Kailash Parvat. It is in their combination creation comes
forth.
You have enough time to perform ‘puja’, take the holy dip in the lake,
collect the water and stones (each one a ‘linga’) and stroll along the
shores of the lake. It is windy and the water is icy cold. The reflection
of the Gurla Mandhata on the glistening waters of the lake is a sight
to behold and with your gaze firmly on Mt. Kailash in the distant horizon,
time flies.
By mid morning, we begin the 6-hour Manasarovar parikrama by jeep stopping
en route at Chuku gompa and Chiu gompa. We later reach the small Tibetan
town of Darchen at the base of Mt. Kailash by evening and spend the
night at the Guest House.
Note: Due to operational
reasons we sometimes camp at Ashtapath instead of at Darchen so that
the next day’s parikrama starts earlier and yaks can be hired the same
evening. This will be decided on the spot. The group being small and
mobile, we are able to take these decisions without any problem to the
yatris. Further, during the Manas parikrama by jeep we have to cross
3 to 4 rivulets and streams, which at times may become flooded making
it impossible to cross by jeep. In that case, we will spend more time
at the campsite and drive to Darchen in the late afternoon. Yatris are
requested to maintain a flexible attitude during this day.
Day 09: Drive to Ashtapath. Trek from
Ashtapath (Yamadwar) to Dirapuk. 6-7 hrs.
Wake up early in the morning and after an hours drive we reach Ashtapath.
(Yaks are hired for those who want the same) and then we begin our parikrama.
The trail follows along the western spur of the foothills before reaching
a cairn of prayer stones where it turns north into the great western
valley. After about 1 km it reaches Chorten Kang nyi (Two legged Stupa).
A few hundred meters east is The Darpoche (Great Prayer Flagpole), which
is taken down and redecorated on the full moon day of the Buddha's Enlightenment
Festival (around April/May each year). Hundreds of Tibetan pilgrims
come for this event. It marks the beginning of the Pilgrimage season
since the Dolma La Pass is blocked by snow until April. Above the shallow
depression of Darpoche is a large flat ledge of red rock. On the surface
many prayers and mantras are carved. It is here that the Buddha came
with 500 disciples from India. The view from this place looks down upon
a wide flat expanse of the valley floor. The trail now continues up
the valley. The path is not steep but climbs steadily. The red escarpments
of the eastern wall tower above the valley obscuring the peak from view.
After some time you pass the Three Pinnacles of Longevity above the
opposite cliff face. They represent the Three deities of Longevity:
Amitayus. White Tara and Vijaya. Rising higher behind this is the rock
formation regarded by Hindus as the Monkey god Hanuman in Prayer to
the mountain. Buddhist call it the ‘Torma’ offering of Padmasambhava.
After a couple of hours one comes upon a grassy flat populated by marmots.
Rivulets of pure sweet water cross the trail. There is a rock in the
middle of this spot, which is associated with Mahakala, one of the main
Buddhist Protectors. From here the valley begins to turn east and, as
though gazing down from the heavens, directly above is the western face
of Mt. Kailash, a triangular facet of rock dripping with great drops
of overhanging snow. This is a face of the mountain rarely seen in photos,
yet it has a power and beauty of its own. From this turn in the valley
it is another 2 hours at least before reaching Dira Puk. At this point
the going is not so easy and, if it is late afternoon or near sunset,
each steps seems a race against time. Once Dirapuk is in sight it is
important to keep to the trail. Do not be hasty. It actually passes
your destination on the far side of the river. Unless you are prepared
to remove shoes and socks and chance a wade through the river (which
can be risky when the water is high) it is better to follow the trail
down the opposite bank. The Dirapuk campsite has magnificent views of
Kailash, which seems within touching distance now. Evening conversation
in the dining tent revolves around the great day ahead where Dolma has
to be climbed and conquered. Overnight camp.
Day 10: Dirapuk to Zuthulpuk 22.9 Km.
This day is the climax of the pilgrimage. The Dolma La lies 6.4 km.
ahead and 762 meter above Dirapuk. Physically it is the most arduous
day. After an early breakfast we set off as the sun's ray breaks over
the ridges above. After the footbridge the trail rises up a rocky slope.
Take this gently but steadily. It soon reaches a level walk. The peak
of Mt. Kailash rises to the right and can now be seen linked to a long
spur, which joins the eastern ridge. This is the top edge of the glacial
valley from which the Lhachu (Divine River) flows. Follow the route
to Dolma Pass via Shivasthal as the other route is not possible for
the pilgrims. Keep Kailash on your right. The stretch of 4 miles between
Dhira Puk to Dolma is very steep and extremely tiring and exacting.
Be deliberately slow and use the walking stick. Stop rest and then proceed.
Whenever your feel tired, stop rest and then regain your steps. Dolma
la to Zuthul puk. After a 30 minutes rest in Dolma La, we descend a
steep, rock strewn path to the valley below. Just below the pass is
Lake Tu Je Chenpo Dzingbu (Sanskrit Gauri Kunda), in english ‘Pool of
great compassion’. It is 200 ft. below. It is an emerald green lake.
This is the holiest lake. It would be frozen most of the time. A final
steep descending staircase brings you to the valley floor. From here
it is still about 5 hours to the day's destination with no shelter in
between. It is vitally important to remain on the right hand side of
the river, the west Bank. If not you will be trapped, unable to cross
it. The walk now becomes very pleasant and relaxing (as long as the
weather is clear). Finally one reaches Zuthul Puk, the cave of miracles.
The great ascetic Milerappa is supposed to have performed miracles here
to defeat Naro Bonchung. The statue of this great Saint is here. Overnight
Camp.
Day 11: Trek Zuthulpuk -14 KM- to Darchen
Drive to Mansarovar. Drive 1 hrs 50 km.
There are some streams to cross. Last portion can be covered by land
cruizer. Milerapa's Cave The main temple encloses Milarapa's shoulders
and upper back. This was formed when he forced the huge rock higher
to make the cave roomier. Unfortunately it now was too high and draughty.
So the top of the slab (which is encased inside a mud wall) is said
to hold imprints of his feet and hands where he pressed down on the
rock to make it lower and just right ! You may sit within the cave.
A torch is useful. The walk back to Darchen is easy and exit from the
valley can be reached within a few hours. After a brief rest to regroup,
we start our drive to Mansarovar. O/n camp.
Services Include:
Kathmandu Side:
1. 03 nights stay at a std hotel in Kathmandu on twin share basis with
breakfast.
2. Arrival & Departure airport transfers.
3. Half Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City
4. Transfers to Kodari and back in Non AC buses.
Tibet Side:
1. Both Kailash parikrama (on foot) and Manasarovar parikrama (by jeep).
2. Accommodation on the twin share basis at Guest House & Two men
tent during camping. Dining & Toilet tents.
3. Sherpa staff.
4. Freshly cooked full board vegetarian meals.
5. Japanese Land cruisers (4 WD) & support truck from Zangmu to
Zangmu.
6. Tibetan guide from Tibet Tourism Board (TTB).
7. Monastery entrance fees.
8. Gamow Bag, Oxygen, Basic first aid kit.
9. Kailash Permit.
10. NORMAL Tibet/China Visa Fee.
11. One day backpack, one waist pouch, one cap.
12. Wind proof jacket.
13. Kailash trip completion certificate
